The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-06-10
A Fooled Farmer.
SNYDER COUNTY MANS GREED FOR
GAIN GETS HIM INTO TRAP.


The following is the story Of the
swindling of farmer in Snyder county
by three scoundrels. BY reading il
other farmers may be cautioned
against entertaining dreams of quickly
acquired wealth.
The victims name is John Hummel
He had farm for sale, and had been
in correspondence with an alleged G.
B. Baxter, M. d., with view of dis.
posing of the property. A dag for
meeting was appointed, but the day
previous to the appointment Mr.. Hum
mel received a telegram notifying him
not to expect the would-be purchaser,
as he had sickness in his family. The
next day fixed was Saturday, May IA,
and on the morning of that day two
strangers, well dressed and with,dash-
ing manners, applied to Bsrtholomew's
livery stable, Sunbury, for horse and
buggy for the day, which they paid
for in advance. They drove to Mr..
Hummels farm, where they met that
gentleman, and Baxter introduced w.
II. Morton, his lawyer. The party
looked over the farm and began nego-
tiating for the sale. While near the
barn another well-dressed stranger
drove up, with horse from Bassler's
livery, Sunbury, and introduced him
self to the party. His business was
that of painting advertisements on
barns and fences. After a great deal
of talk the last man produced a satchel
in which were rows of envelopes that
he said contained prizes The price of
drawing was IS and Morton said he
would take a chance at the prizes,
which according to the fakir, ranged
from IS to $4,000. Morton lost, his
first draw being a blank. This did
not discourage him in the least, but he
asked Hummel for small loan to con-
tinue the game. Hummel handed him
$50 and he commenced over again.
Morton's luck changed, for after that
he won. First FIVE, then ten, and soon
fifty, with only an occasional loss.
Then Hummel drew and he won SIS.
The next time be lost, but be soon
won, till at length, guided by his friend
Morton, he drew an envelope contain
ing card with the mystic figures,
$4,000 "conditionally." The condit-
ions were that Hummel had to pay
over the sum of $4,000 in cash, for
which he was to receive $4,000, and he
was to have two hours to do it in. He
hadn't the money, but his friends sug-
gested that he go to Suubury and
draw that amount from the bank. This
he agreed to do, while the remainder
of the party awaited. his return. Mr..
Hummel went to Sunbury aud to the
bank and drew $4,000 in bills, and in
return placed upon the counter his
check for that amount He then re-
turned to his farm above Northumber-
land, holding in his hand the card on
which appeared dollar mark, the fig
ure six, and three ciphers. The adver-
tising man was seated in his buggy by
the barn and Hummel paid him the
$4,000. As soon as he received 1t be
shut up his satchel, hit the horse a cut
and drove for Milton. Morton and
Baxter condoled with Hummel for an
hour, said they also had been stuck and
could not purchase the farm at that
time, but would return. They also
made him promise not to mention the
loss, and left after bidding him an af-
fectionate adieu. Arrived at Milton
they left their horses and hiring 9TH
ers of Malady they drove to Muncy,
where they spent the night. They
dropped letter to the Sunbury livery
man, inclosing ten dollar bill and tell
ing him to 60 to Milton for his horses.
On Sunday they drove to Williamsport
and spent the night there, and on Mon
day took the Erie mail and went
straight through to that city. Mon
day Hummel got out his warrant be-
fore Squire Weaver, and his son, in
company with ]. w, Bartholomew, of
Sunbury, went in pursuit They work
ed hard and Monday night they arriv-
ed in Williamsport only day behind.
They'll left. for Erie Tuesday, the con-
ductor on Mondays train having
told them how three men had
picked up an acquaintance over
game of cards on his train the day
previous. They had separated in
Wlliamsport, each stopping at differ
ent hotels, and one was ticketed to
Erie, another to Cory, while the third
held pasteboard good to Warren, but
the two paid fare into Erie. At this
place the trail was lost. Bartholomew
and young Hummel went on to Cleve-
land, but heard nothing of their men.
All trace of them disappeared at the
Erie station with their arrival there
Monday evening. Thursday Bartholo-
NEW and his companion returned from
their fruitless search and all efforts to
capture the thieves has been abandon
ed The utmost secrecy has been
maintained by every one who was in
any way connected with the affair and
the most strenuous efforts were made
to keep it out of the newspapers, the
story of "How they did it, only being
told under pledge cf secrecy.